AAR

Readjusting to work and home life has been tough — still is. There’s no good way to transition from a month of de facto retirement in a foreign country back to a set work schedule. Beyond posting a few untouched pictures and attempting (but not with great results yet) to HDR some high-contrast sets of photos to show deep mountain contrast as well as the foreground, I’ve been reluctant to sit down and go through everything. I’m starting this post on my lunch break, because it needs to be written before I get too far down the road. May edit it later as things come to mind.

Some of the things I miss:

– The sight of high mountains

– The sights and sounds of a foreign country

– Copious amounts of time alone with my Kindle

– Talking to some of the other travelers

– Getting to know some of the local people

– Physical activity being the rule most days

– Delicious, different food

– Uncrowded cafes and restaurants and time to sit and enjoy them

– Having no plans and still finding plenty to do

– The challenge of trying to understand, appreciate and communicate with Nepalis

Things to do next time — some I did, some I didn’t:

– Take Cipro or otherwise try to fight the inevitable stomach problems

– Hire a guide for trekking

– Plan the trek for a leisurely pace and beat it if all goes well

– Take long lunches on the trek if desired — or short days, or whatever seems fun at the time

– Take a “crowded,” touristy trek if that seems best

– Find whatever home base seems comfortable and move as that changes

– Save the nonessential layovers for a separate trip to any other desired destination

– Four weeks is good; more would be better; two and a half would work

– Unlock a phone and use it with WiFi and a local SIM card

– Blog often

– Don’t bring a computer; a tablet is even nonessential weight

– Late February and early March are acceptable for all but the iciest and stormiest trekking routes — and certainly fine for the initial days of getting settled in the country